The heroes who tackled London Bridge terrorist Usman Khan during his deadly stabbing spree are to be awarded the UK’s highest-possible bravery medals for civilians, it was revealed Thursday.
The group, including a man who grabbed a narwhal tusk to bash the killer, will get the George Cross or the Queen’s Gallantry Medal in the new year, officials told The Sun.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman called the heroes the “very best of the British people” as he confirmed plans for them to get the highest civilian awards for bravery, the paper said.
“The Prime Minister and the country have huge admiration for the courage they showed,” the spokesman told The Sun.
Labour-party member Neil Coyle, a parliamentarian representing London Bridge, told the paper, “Anyone who tries to tackle a terrorist at great risk to themselves should be recognized for the bravery shown.”
The onlookers became instant heroes when video showed them tackling convicted terrorist Khan, 28, after he killed two on Nov. 29 — containing him until cops shot him dead.
Most dramatically, they included Darryn Frost, 38, a government worker who grabbed a narwhal tusk to hit Khan even though he was wearing a vest with explosives that they did not know were fake.
The Sun suggested John Crilly, 48, who was on parole after serving 13 years for manslaughter, could be one of the heroes honored. There was no mention, however, of convicted murderer James Ford, 42, who reportedly got death threats after being named as one involved.
Khan killed Saskia Jones, 23, and Jack Merritt, 25 — counselors helping him in a prison reform program — before police shot him dead.